Sink mount



Dec. 20, 1955 H. K. SWITZER 2,727,248

SINK MOUNT Filed Feb. 25, 1955 T 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F -6 F905 .29 INV NTOR.

Maw MM.

AT TO/PNEYS Dec. 20, 1955 H. K. SWITZER SINK MOUNT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1955 INVENTOR.

ZJ LMZM ATTORNEYS- United States Patent Ofifice 2,727,248 Patented Dec. 20, 1955 SINK MOUNT Harold K. Switzer, Alexandria, Ky. Application February 23, 1955, Serial N 0. 489,971

14 Claims. c1. 4-187) This invention relates to means for mounting a sink, of the type having a fiat rim, in an opening in a drainboard, a counter top, or other supporting structure. In an installation of this type a metal trim strip is employed to seal the annular space between the periphery of the sink rim and the edge of the opening in the structural member in which the sink is mounted. The trim strip is T-shaped in cross section and it is disposed with the vertical flange thereof depending into the space surrounding the sink rim. The horizontal band portion of the strip spans the annular space so that the opposite edges of the band rest respectively upon the counter top and upon the sink rim. A plurality of clamp devices are secured to the vertical flange. Each clamp device spans the space between the underside of the sink rim and the underside of the supporting structure in which the sink is mounted. In the usual installation some means are provided as part of the clamp to exert a downward pull upon the vertical flange which firmly seats the horizontal band portion of the trim strip to seal the juncture between the rim and counter top. At the same time the ends of the clamps which contact the undersides of the rim and counter top are drawn upwardly to both support the sink and to anchor it in place relative to the counter top.

The present invention is directed in particular to an improved clamp construction for use in an installation of the type set forth.

Past clamp devices have required special configurations, such as holes, slots and the like, to be provided in the vertical flange of a trim strip to accommodate fasteners for securing the clamp to the strip. Obviously, such special configurations have added materially to the cost of the manufacture of the trim strips. Moreover, the clamps have had to be placed upon the flange of a strip in accordance with the spacing of the special configurations. Thus, if an installation condition were such that a clamp could not be accommodated at one of the special places provided, for example at a sharp bend, this section of the strip could not be secured.

By contrast, it is the primary objective of this invention to provide a sink trim clamp which is adapted to be secured directly to a plain strip of metal. Therefore, special configurations in the flange are not required, and the clamps may be amxed to the strip at any place along the length of the flange.

More specifically, the present clamp includes a vertical bore or a channel which is adapted to receive a metal screw. The clamp is slotted in a plane which is offset to one side of, but which is parallel to, the central axis of the vertical channel or bore. In an installation, the lower edge of the vertical flange of the strip is engaged in the slots so that a face of the flange is exposed tothe screw in the channel or bore. The fit between the flange and the screw is, however, such that the threads of the screw must bite into the face of the flange, forming partial threads in it, as the screw is advanced upwardly into the clamp. This expedient is found to provide an unusually strong and secure bond between the strip and the clamp.

A further objective of the invention is to provide a clamp of the type set forth which may be secured in place initially to the underside of the counter top, drainboard or other supporting structure, before being attached to the trim strip. It is therefore unnecessary for the installer to hold the clamp in place while it is being aflixed to the trim strip. This materially assists the installer, be cause he has both hands free to attach the clamp to the strip. The clamp provided includes an arm which extends from the side thereof adjacent to the supporting structure. The outer end of the arm is turned up and is sharpened so that it may be driven into the underside of the supporting member. Secured to the supporting member in this fashion the clamp does not tend to shift during the subsequent installation operation in which the clamp is anchored to the trim strip by means of the screw previously described.

A further objective of the invention is to provide a clamp having the advantages and features set forth which may be made initially as an extrusion, or a casting, or which may be fabricated from sheet metal by simple dieing or stamping operations.

A further objective of the invention is to provide a clamp device which may be used interchangeably with both of the two popular sink constructions. This has been a problem in the manufacture of sink mount clamps in the past, because the two types vary in thickness considerably. A sink made of cast iron, for example, may have a rim which is approximately twice as thick as a sink made of steel. To accommodate both types of sinks the present clamp includes an abutment to make contact with the underside of the sink rim which may be changed in length. The abutment is joined to the body of the clamp in such a way that it may be easily broken off or bent over. Thus, when the clamp is utilized with a steel sink having a thin rim, the abutment may remain unchanged on the clamp, and when it is being used to hold in place a cast sink, it may be broken oif or bent over to accommodate the extra thickness of the cast construction.

Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the drawings in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing a clamp device embodying the principles of the present invention in an installation wherein a steel sink is aflixed to a supporting structure such as a plywood counter top, said counter top being made of plywood approximately one and one-half inches thick.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 in which the clamp device is modified to be used with a cast porcelain sink mounted in a supporting structure such as a threequarter inch plywood drainboard.

Figure 3 is a view of the underside of the clamp device illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view of the underside of the clamp device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4.

which may be used for fastening the clamp to a trim strip.

There'are two general forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings. The first, which may be formed initially as an extrusion or as a casting, is shown in Figures 1-6. Thesecond, which may be formed by stamping or dieing operations is illustrated in Figures 7-11. In addition the clamp'devices of each of the two general forms of the invention may be modified for use with difierent types of sink installations. For example, both forms may be used with counter tops and other supporting structures and with sink rims which vary in thickness.

The clamp which is shown in Figures 1 and 3, being designated by the numeral 10, comprises an elongated metal body which is substantially in the shape of a rectangular block. The lower portion of the block is provided with an L-shaped arm 11 which depends downwardly from one side of the block. The outer end of the horizontal part of the L-shaped arm it has a pointed edge 12 thereon which extends upwardly. The end of the block opposite arm 11 has a foot or abutment 13 extending upwardly from it, which foot has a necked portion 14 defining a frangible line where the leg may be broken to shorten it. The rectangular block also has a smooth bore 15 extending through it vertically from one end to the other. A narrow slot 16 is formed in the upper end portion of the block in a plane which passes transversely through the block tangent to the bore. Bore 15 is adapted to receive a metal screw 17. This screw has an elongated smooth shank portion 18 which is adapted to fit into the bore in slip-fit relationship. The outer end of the screw has a sharp thread 19 cut into it, the outside diameter of which is substantially the same as the shank portion of the screw.

From a study of Figure 1 it will be seen that the body portion of the clamp including the leg 13 and the arm 11 may be made as an extrusion which leaves the forming die in a direction normal to the plane of the drawing. The extruded strip then may be cut transversely into individual blocks. Either at the same time that the blocks are cut from the strip, or, as a subsequent operation, each one of the blocks may be drilled to provide the vertical bore 15. At the same time, and by using a drilling tool having a second and larger diameter cutting edge thereon, the semi-circular groove 20 may be cut into arm 11 to accommodate the head of the screw. See Figure 3. In addition, it will be appreciated that the clamp 10 may be formed as a casting.

In the instance shown in Figure 1, the clamp block is illustrated in conjunction with a porcelain-on-steel sink, a part only of which is shown at 21. Also shown in this figure is a conventional T-shaped trim strip 22 having a plain vertical flange 23. The installation of Figure 1 shows the clamp block affixed to a plywood counter top 24 which is approximately one and one-half inches thick. The upper surface of the counter top may be protected by a sheet of plastic material 25. In making the installation of Figure l a plurality of the clamps 10 may be secured to the counter top at spaced points around the opening into which the sink is to be placed, each block being attached to the counter top by driving the sharp edge 12'into the plywood. The sink then may be lowered into place with its outer rim resting on top of the respective legs 13 of the blocks. After this, the sink trim may be put in place with its vertical flange 23 seated in the slots 16 of the clamps. The metal screws 17 then may be threaded into place. In each instance, the sharp threads 19 0f the metal screws cut into the face of the vertical flange part of the trim which is exposed at the inside of each one of the vertical bores 15. The threads of the metal screws bite into the flanges cutting their own female threads as they advance, to pull the screws tightly up into place with their heads resting against the under surfaces of the clamps. The slip-fit provided for the elongated shank of the metal screws prevents the screws from canting'while they are being tightened into place, therefore insuring that the sharp threads on the screws ,bite

sutficiently deeply into the metal of the vertical flange to prevent the flange from being withdrawn from the grooves 16.

The clamp shown in Figures 2 and 4-, which is designated 26, is substantially identical to the one designated 16, with the exception that the arm 11, in this instance, extends straight out from the side of the body of the clamp. This shortens substantially the distance between the arm and the upper end of the clamp and adapts the clamp for use in conjunction with three-quarter inch panelling such as that indicated by the numeral 27. Also in the instance shownin Figure 2, the clamp is illustrated in conjunction with a sink, a part only of which is shown at 28, which is of cast construction. The rim portion of this type of sink is substantially thicker than a porcelainon-steel sink rim. Thus, the leg portion 13 is shown with the necked-in portion 14 fractured to shorten the leg in order to compensate for the added thickness of sink material. In all other respects, the clamp may be fabricated and installed like the modification of Figures 1 and 3.

Referring now to Figure 7, the numeral 30 designates a piece of sheet metal from which a clamp embodying the principles of the invention may be fabricated by simple stamping or dieing operations. A blank is designated 31, this blank being stamped out of the piece of sheet metal designated 30. The blank includes a pair of arms 3232 which extend from opposite ends thereof. Each one of these arms constitutes an extension of the lower edge of the blank. Each arm has a sharpened tang 3333 extending upwardly from its outer end. The central portion of the blank is substantially rectangular having a raised shoulder 34 on its upper edge which constitutes one of two abutments, the purpose of which will be described later. The second abutment is provided by the upper end of a continuation 35 of shoulder 34. The continuation is substantially wedge-shaped tapering downwardly to a necked-in end at shoulder 34. The central, rectangular portion of the blank may also have a pair of slots 3636 cut into it in the stamping operation. These slots are spaced equally from the vertical center line of the blank. To complete the formation of the clamp it is bent into the U-shape shown at the right in Figure 7. This is done by bending the two arms 3232 at so that they extend away from the central portion of the clamp parallel with one another as shown in Figure 8.

When thus formed, the clamp is U-shaped as seen from above to provide a half round, vertical channel 37, which channel is adapted to receive a sharp threaded metal screw 33 of the type illustrated in Figure 11. Referring now to Figure 10, it will be noted that the two slots 36-36 are located in a plane intersecting the edge of an imaginary cylinder which is the continuation of the inner curved surface of the vertical channel 37. Thus, when the vertical flange portion 23 of a length of sink trim strip is inserted into the two slots 36-36, a part thereof is exposed to the inside of the channel, and to the threads of a metal screw in the channel. With the flange thus engaged, the threads of a metal screw, such as the one shown at 17, will bite into and cut a thread formation in the flange as it is advanced upwardly into the channel. In addition, the part of the vertical flange of the trim strip which is between the respective arms 3Z32 of the clamp will be bowed outwardly slightly as shown in Figure 10 as the screw is advanced upwardly into the channel. In this way the strip is locked against vertical movement relative to the clamp by the threads on the screw, and is locked against sideways movement relative to the clamp by virtue of the bowed portion of the flange which is between the two arms. It will be obvious that where the latter type of lock is not required, the disposition of the slots relative to the vertical axis of the channel may be adjusted so that the screw threads merely bite into the inner face of the flange without causing the deformation described. Additionally, the clamp may be hardened, if desired, to prevent the sharp threads of the screw from biting into the surface of the metal of the channel.

The clamp of Figures 7-11 also may be used with both of the two popular types of sink constructions cast iron and steel. When the clamp is being utilized with a steel sink having a thin rim, the continuation above shoulder 34 which provides abutment 35 may be employed. On the other hand, when the clamp is being used with a sink made of cast iron, the continuation may be bent over as shown in Figures 9 and 10 exposing shoulder 34, which reduces the overall height of the clamp by an amount equal to the difference in the thicknesses of the two sink constructions.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a flat rim sink adapted to be mounted in an opening in a counter top or the like and trim strip which is substantially T-shaped in cross section and which has a flange depending therefrom adapted to reside in the space between said sink rim and the adjacent edge of said counter top, a clamp to both secure said sink in place and to anchor said trim strip in place, said clamp comprising a body having a bore extending vertically therethrough, a slot adapted to receive said flange, said slot extending through the body of said clamp transversely thereof and in a plane which is substantially tangent to the inside diameter of said bore in the upper portion thereof, a member extending upwardly from one side of said body adapted to engage the underside of said sink rim, an arm extending outwardly from the side of said body opposite to said leg, said arm having a point thereon adapted to be driven into the underside of said counter top to hold said clamp thereto, a metal screw having an elongated shank portion adapted to be received in said bore in slip-fit relationship, and a sharp thread at the end of said screw, said thread adapted to bite into the face of the said flange which is in the slot and which is exposed to the inside of said bore and thereby lock said flange securely in said slot.

2. In combination with a flat rim sink adapted to be mounted in an opening in a counter top or the like and a trim strip which is substantially T-shaped in cross section and which has a flange depending therefrom adapted to reside in the space between said sink rim and the adjacent edge of said counter top, a clamp to both secure said sink in place and to anchor said trim strip in place, said clamp comprising a metallic body having a bore extending vertically therethrough, a slot adapted to receive said flange, said slot extending through the body of said clamp transversely thereof and in a plane which is substantially tangent to the inside diameter of said bore in the upper portion thereof, abutment means at the upper end of said body adapted to engage the underside of said sink rim, means at the lower end of said body adapted to engage the underside of said counter top, a metal screw having an elongated shank portion adapted to be received in said bore in slip-fit relationship, and a sharp thread at the upper end of said screw, said thread adapted to bite into the face of the vertical flange which is engaged in said slot and which is exposed to the inside of said bore and thereby lock said flange firmly in said slot.

3. In combination with a flat rim sink adapted to be mounted in an opening in a counter top or the like and a sink trim which is substantially T-shaped in cross section and which has a vertical flange portion adapted to depend into the space between the rim of the sink and the adjacent edge of said counter top, a clamp to both hold said sink in place and to anchor said trim strip in place, said clamp comprising a metal body having a bore extending vertically therethrough, means at the upper end of said body to engage the underside of said sink rim, means adjacent to the opposite end of said body to engage the underside of said counter top, a slot extending transversely through said body substantially tangentially to the upper end of said bore, said slot adapted to receive said vertical flange such that a portion of the flange is exposed to the inside of said bore, a'metal screw, said metal screw having an elongated shank portion adapted to be received in the lower portion of said smooth bore in slip-fit relationship, and a sharp thread at the end of said shank, said thread adapted to cut into the face of the portion of the vertical flange which is exposed to the inside of said bore and thereby anchor said flange in said slot.

4. In combination with a flat rim sink adapted to be mounted in an opening in a counter top or the like and a sink trim which is substantially T-shaped in cross section and which has a vertical flange portion adapted to depend into the space between the rim of the sink and said counter top, a clamp to both hold the sink in place and to anchor the trim strip in place, said clamp comprising a metal body having a bore extending vertically therethrough, means at the upper end of said body to engage the underside of said sink rim, means at the opposite end of said body to engage the underside of said counter top, a slot extending transversely in said body substantially tangentially to the upper end of said bore, said slot adapted to receive said vertical flange such that a portion of the flange is exposed to the inside of said bore, and means engageable in said vertical bore adapted to bite into the portion of said vertical flange exposed to the inside of said bore and thereby anchor said flange in said slot.

5. A clamp adapted to be used in a sink installation in which the sink is mounted in an opening in a counter top or the like and a trim strip is employed to seal the juncture between the rim of the sink and the counter top, said trim strip being substantially T-shaped in cross section and disposed with the vertical flange portion thereof depending between the rim of the sink and said counter top, said clamp comprising a metal body having a bore extending vertically therethrough, means at one side of said body to engage the underside of said sink rim, means at the opposite side of said body to engage the underside of said counter top, a slot extending transversely through said body in a plane which is parallel to the axis of said bore and which intersects said bore at one side thereof, said slot adapted to receive the vertical flange of said trim strip whereby a portion of said strip is exposed to the inside of said bore, and a sharp-threaded metal screw of a size adapted to be advanced upwardly into said bore to bite into the portion of the vertical flange exposed to the inside of said bore and thereby anchor said flange in said slot.

6. A clamp adapted to be used in a sinkinstallation in which the sink is mounted in an opening in a counter top or the like and a trim strip is employed to seal the juncture between the rim of the sink and the counter top, said trim strip being substantially T-shaped in cross section and disposed with the vertical flange portion thereof depending between the rim of the sink and said counter top and with the opposite edges of the horizontal band portion of the strip resting respectively upon the rim of the sink and upon the counter top, said clamp comprising a metal body adapted to span the space between the underside of the rim and the underside of said counter top, said metal body configurated to provide a vertical passageway therethrough, a slot extending transversely through said metal body parallel to the vertical axis of said passageway but offset to one side thereof such that the vertical flange of the trim strip may be engaged in said slot to expose a part thereof to the inside of said passageway, and a sharp-threaded metal screw adapted to be advanced upwardly through said passageway so that the threads thereon bite into the part of the vertical flange exposed to the inside of said passageway to cut partial threads therein and thereby lock the vertical flange to the clamp.

7. A clamp adapted to be used in conjunction with a sink trim strip having a vertical flange thereon, said clamp comprising a metal body having a vertical channel therein, a sharp-threaded metal screw, said metal screw adapted to fit into said vertical channel, and a slot extending transversely through said metal body in a plane parallel to the vertical axis of said channel but offset to the open side thereof :such that the vertical flange may be engaged in said fslotto .clos e'the open side. ofsa'id channel, and said metal screw being largeri in diameter than the closed channel, whereby the screw may be advanced upwardly through the channelv to bite into the faceof the flange exposed to the inside of the channel to lock said flange in said slot.

8. A clamp adapted to be used in conjunction with a sink trim strip having a vertical flange thereon, said clamp comprising a metal body having a passageway extending vertically therethrough, a slot in said metal body which is in a plane passing through said vertical passageway parallel to the'axis of the passageway but oflset to one side-thereof, and a metalscrew having a sharp thread thereon, said screw being adapted to be rotated and advanced upwardly through said passageway when said flange is engaged in the slot as aforesaid to bite into the portion of the vertical flange exposed to the inside of said passageway and'therebyform partial threads therein to lock the clamp to said flange.

9. A clamp adapted'to'be used in conjunction with a sink'trim striphaving a vertical flange thereon, said clamp comprising a metal body which is substantially U-shaped aslseen from above to provide a vertical channel, having a pair of arms extending outwardly from the open side thereof, said arms being slotted in a plane which is offset outwardly from the vertical axis of said channel a distance slightly less than the distance between a side of the channel and said vertical axis, a sharp threaded metal screw adapted to fit into said vertical channel with the threads thereon intersecting said plane, and said slots adapted to receive the lower edge of said vertical flange whereby a portion of the flange is exposed to the inside of the channel between the respective arms, whereby upon the advancing of the metal screw upwardly through said channel, the sharp threads thereon cut into the flange to form partial threads therein thereby locking the flange in said slots.

10. A clamp as set forth in claim 9 in which the slots are disposed so-that the portion of the flange engaged between the arms must bow outwardly to permit the screw to be advanced upwardly.

11. A clamp adapted to be used in a sink installation in whichthe sink is mounted in an opening and in which a trim strip is employed to seal the juncture between the rim of the sink and the counter top, said trim strip being substantially T-shaped in cross section and disposed with the vertical flange portion thereof depending between the rim of the sink and said counter top, said clamp comprising a substantially U-shaped body as seen from above, said U-shaped body adapted tospan the space between the underside of the rim of the sink and the underside of said countertop with the arms of the U-shaped body engaging the counter top and with the closed end thereof engaging the underside of the sink rim, the closed end of said U-shaped body defining a half round channel which extends vertically through the body, a pair of slots cut transversely through the respective arms of the body in a plane which is parallel to the axis of said channel but which is disposed at one side thereof, said slots being adapted to receive said flange portion so that the part of the flange between the arms is exposed to the inside of the channel, and a sharp threaded metal screw adapted to be advanced upwardly through said channel to bite into said exposed part of the vertical flange to lock said clamp to said flange.

12. A clamp as set forth in claim 11 in which the outer ends of the arms have upwardly extending points thereon which may be driven into the underside of said counter top to anchor the clamp relative to said counter top.

13. A clamp as set forth in claim 11 in which the upper part of the closed end thereof has an extension thereon to provide an abutment for engaging the underside of said sink rim.

14. A clamp as set forth in claim 11 in which the inside of the channel is hardened to prevent the sharp threads of the metal screw from cutting into the surface thereof.

No references cited. 

